Chapter 45: Your Majesty, Take Xunqi Back! Part 1

The capital was calm. Two deaths had occurred, both handled by the Capital Magistrate. Xunqi sent people to follow up but didn’t pay much attention.

In the evening, she returned to the residence. She sat on the steps at the gate, carving a wooden figurine, but no matter how long she waited, the Left Prime Minister didn’t return.

At ten o’clock, holding the wooden figurine, she returned alone to her own courtyard for dinner.

She washed up and went to bed.

A good night’s sleep.

In the morning, she got up and went to the Patrol Battalion first to arrange matters. It was almost noon when she led her men out for a patrol in the city.

Two nights had passed. Her Majesty’s carriage should have returned to the city by now.

“Wuming, go wait at the city gate. If there’s any movement, tell me immediately.” Xunqi absentmindedly instructed Wuming.

Wuming immediately spurred her horse and left.

After she left, Xunqi dismounted and found a roadside stall to eat a bowl of wontons. Just as she sat down, she saw Chancellor Xu approaching.

“Chancellor Xu.” Xunqi greeted her. “It’s cold. Would you like a bowl of wontons to warm up?”

“Commander Yan.” Chancellor Xu stepped forward and bowed. Xunqi quickly returned the bow and called to the vendor to bring another bowl of wontons.

The two sat down. The vendor brought the wontons. Xunqi took a bite. Chancellor Xu quietly looked at her. “I heard you’re home alone?”

“My mother followed Her Majesty to the Winter Sacrifice, leaving me home alone.” Xunqi didn’t mind. She took a sip of soup, and her whole body warmed up. Her brows and eyes lifted, full of youthful vigor.

Chancellor Xu felt her vitality and couldn’t help but smile. “You’re so important now. Your future is limitless.”

She was leading troops to guard the capital alone. It was clear how much Her Majesty valued her.

Xunqi lowered her head and drank her soup. “You flatter me. It’s just a coincidence. Her Majesty trusts me, so naturally I can’t let her down.”

Chancellor Xu bent down, trying to look behind her ear. Xunqi suddenly stood up, just dodging her. Xunqi beamed. “Why are you here?”

“Just passing by. I happened to see you eating wontons. Didn’t you have breakfast?” Chancellor Xu covered her embarrassment with a smile.

Xunqi shook her head. “I ate. I passed by, smelled the aroma, and decided to have a bowl.”

She gently stirred her spoon, but didn’t dare lower her head again. The vendor brought another bowl of wontons. Xunqi paid. Chancellor Xu didn’t refuse. She scooped up a wonton and blew on it gently.

Xunqi wolfed down her wontons, put down her chopsticks, and said, “I’ll be going. Enjoy your meal.”

“Alright. Be careful on the road.” Chancellor Xu smiled faintly.

The young person mounted her horse, her movements free and easy. Chancellor Xu watched her leave from afar, her gaze deep. She looked down at the wontons in her bowl, suddenly losing interest. Since the person was gone, she didn’t want to eat anymore.

She stood up and called for her carriage. She had come specifically for a walk, taking advantage of the Left Prime Minister’s absence to test the waters. Unfortunately, she had failed. This child was too alert.

Xunqi waited all day, but the imperial carriage didn’t return. She sent people to investigate. According to the plan, they should have returned today.

In the evening, she returned to the residence, alone again. She had no heart to carve the wooden figurine. She sat on the steps, anxious, but completely helpless.

She sat blankly until midnight, then was persuaded back by her maidservant.

She had a mission, so she couldn’t leave the capital. Otherwise, she would have gone out of the city to find them.

In the morning, she got up, washed, and dressed as usual. She went to the Patrol Battalion first to arrange matters, then went on patrol. She still sent people to wait at the city gate. Not only was she panicking, but the officials stationed in the capital were also starting to panic. They sent people to ask about Her Majesty’s return date. It was originally set for yesterday, but no one had seen them all night. If they didn’t return today, the capital would be in chaos.

The group waited patiently until dusk before finally seeing Her Majesty’s procession. Xunqi immediately cleared the way, ensuring the procession passed smoothly.

By the time Her Majesty entered the city, it was already dark. Everyone returned to their residences. They would discuss matters at the next morning court.

Xunqi rode alongside the Left Prime Minister’s carriage, approaching Wuqing. “Why were you delayed a day?”

“We had to deal with important matters.” Wuqing’s expression was blank.

Xunqi looked at her. “You seem unhappy?”

Wuqing looked up, instinctively touching her own cheek. “I’m always like this.”

Xunqi wasn’t stupid. She realized something had happened. She glanced at the carriage. They were almost home. She would ask the Left Prime Minister after she got out of the carriage.

At the residence gate, the bright moon hung high. Xunqi dismounted first, jumped to the front of the carriage, and looked up at the carriage door.

The driver opened the door. The person inside walked out. Xunqi couldn’t help but smile. “Mother.”

Yan Zhi’an was shy from her gaze. “Why are you looking at me?”

“I missed you. You’ve been gone for three days.” Xunqi complained. “Even if you weren’t coming back yesterday, you should have sent word. I waited for you all day.”

“It was only two or three days. There was no definite news.” Yan Zhi’an handed her hand to her and steadily stepped down from the carriage.

The gate was brightly lit. Yan Zhi’an was wearing a thick fox fur robe, covering her body. Xunqi sniffed sharply. “Why do you smell of medicine? Are you injured?”

“Just a flesh wound.” Yan Zhi’an said softly. “Don’t make a fuss.”

Xunqi was about to fly into a rage, but upon hearing the Left Prime Minister’s words, she calmed down and helped her up the steps.

The Left Prime Minister returned to the residence as usual, not alarming anyone. Xunqi followed her all the way, her heart in turmoil. She glanced at Wuqing, who lowered her head in silence.

Back in the bedroom, Yan Zhi’an took off her cloak, revealing her injured right hand. Xunqi was stunned. Heartache welled up. “What happened?”

“An assassin at the Winter Sacrifice.”

“The assassin didn’t hurt anyone else, only you?” Xunqi’s voice suddenly rose several octaves, her heart filled with indignation. “Everyone else came back fine. Only you, covered in wounds.”

Yan Zhi’an looked at her small face, red with anger, both angry and heartbroken. “I’m the unlucky one. The assassin was in front of me. I couldn’t just run away…”

“You protected who? The assassin was in front, and you didn’t run. Who did you protect?” Xunqi exploded, as if she had swallowed gunpowder. “Isn’t your own life important? You told me to cherish my life, but you go and save others!”

“Alright, my head hurts. Don’t yell at me.” Yan Zhi’an was in the wrong.

Xunqi pressed on. “Who did you save?”

Yan Zhi’an lowered her head. Xunqi pressed again. “Who?”

“My arm hurts. You go back first.” Yan Zhi’an used the pain as an excuse, trying to brush her off.

But the child had grown up and had her own thoughts. She refused to leave. “Who was it that needed you to save them?”

Yan Zhi’an: “The Crown Prince!”

“He…” Xunqi’s voice suddenly vanished. Then she looked at her in disbelief. “Why did you save the Crown Prince?”

Yan Zhi’an held her forehead, trying to avoid Xunqi’s gaze. Xunqi stepped forward and grabbed her left hand. “Yan Zhi’an!”

“Xunqi, my head hurts. It hurts so much I can’t see clearly. Don’t argue. Keep your voice down.” Yan Zhi’an deliberately shouted. “Really, my eyes hurt too.”

Xunqi stared straight at her, her eyes red. “Saving Her Majesty is your duty. But why did you risk your life to block a blade for the Crown Prince?”

“The Crown Prince is the sovereign, and I am the subject.” Yan Zhi’an was helpless. “If the Crown Prince dies, the court will be in turmoil.”

“If you die, what will I do?” Xunqi blurted out. “Can’t you be selfish for once? Don’t save others…”

“I was closest to the Crown Prince.” Yan Zhi’an gave an ingratiating smile, holding her hand. “Alright, alright. It’s just a flesh wound. It’s nothing. It’ll heal in a month.”

Xunqi was unmoved. Yan Zhi’an had to soften her tone. “Why are you angry? If the sovereign wants a subject to die, can the subject refuse?”

That one sentence startled Xunqi into stillness for a long time. She swallowed hard. If the sovereign wants a subject to die, the subject has no choice but to die.

Seeing her small face turn pale, Yan Zhi’an realized she had misspoken. She quickly comforted her. “I was joking with you. Little Qi, this matter is over.”

“It’s not over. Who did it?” Xunqi held back. How could it be over? They all came back safe and sound. Only you were injured.

In this assassination, only you were injured.

Xunqi gritted her teeth, her aura fierce. It warmed Yan Zhi’an’s heart. “I know your heart. The Right Prime Minister is investigating. I can rest for a while. Before the New Year, I’ll be the one waiting for you at home. Isn’t that good?”

Hearing this, Xunqi couldn’t help but shed tears. “I’m used to waiting for you.”

“Why are you crying?” Yan Zhi’an’s head ached. The moment the words landed, Xunqi quickly wiped her tears, trying to cover it up. “I’m not crying. What did the physician say?”

“Just a flesh wound. It’s too late today. The Imperial Medical Academy will hold a consultation tomorrow.” Yan Zhi’an found it amusing. Crying and laughing, this was when she really seemed like a child.

From the moment they met, Xunqi’s temperament had seemed very steady. Now, looking at her, she still seemed like a child dependent on her mother.

She reached out and touched Xunqi’s cheek, feeling the girl’s softness. The girl’s sobs were all for her.

At this moment, she knew her decision was right. Xunqi was kind. In the future, she would surely treat the Yan family well.

She had done right by the Yan family.

“I’m tired. Help me over to rest.” Yan Zhi’an sighed softly.

Xunqi hurriedly helped her up. “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of the household.”

“You don’t need to take care of the household. Take care of your own affairs.” Yan Zhi’an was worried about outside matters. “There’s only me in the household. The maidservants will attend to me.”

“I’m not reassured. I still have to take care of it.”

Yan Zhi’an smiled again. When they reached the couch, she bent down and sat down. Xunqi took the opportunity to crouch down and take off her shoes. She didn’t refuse, just quietly watched the girl.

At this moment, she felt she had someone to rely on.

She was injured, and someone genuinely cried for her, worried for her, even wanted to fight for her.

She didn’t want much. Just this. She reminded her, “Don’t write to the Academy Head. She’s very busy.”

“I’ll write anyway. I’ll tell her you don’t take care of yourself.” Xunqi said angrily. “I’ll also tell her that you went out of your way to provoke the assassin.”

Yan Zhi’an was helpless. She reached out and pinched her ear. “I’m speaking, and you’re not listening?”

“You don’t listen to me either. Why should I listen to you?” Xunqi was stubborn. She held the Left Prime Minister’s hand, her expression serious. “I’ve grown up. You should take it easy.”

Yan Zhi’an was dissatisfied. “You’ve grown up, but I’m still young.”

Xunqi was speechless. Then she couldn’t help but smile.

The two smiled at each other, seeing themselves in each other’s eyes.

Xunqi helped the Left Prime Minister lie down, tucked in the blanket, and said, “You sleep first. I’ll have the female physician come take a look.”

“As you wish.” Yan Zhi’an was tired. The outside was never as good as home. After the incident, even though the accompanying imperial physicians had taken her pulse, the wound on her arm still ached terribly.

She lay down. The female physician came quietly with her medical chest. The female physician bowed to Xunqi first. Xunqi waved her hand, signaling her to take the pulse first.